I've seen this ad on craigslist (Los Angeles) offering 914 help. Just wondering if this person Brian is a member here. Looking for some local help with my car but not going to spend $250 for a Porsche mechanic to just inspect it.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d...6416309419.html

I need someone to recheck my valve adjustment, timing, dizzy and to bring a working MPS. I'm pretty sure I've screwed all this up as my 1.7l won't turn over now.

Ok, lets start with your terminology?
Turn over, some say this is to start the engine, others says when the engine spins, ie starter motor turns engine ?

First question, was this engine running?

I don't know Brian.

Sounds like you might get somefree advice as to were to look. Often these things are much more simple than you think. If it physically will not turn the problem is much bgger than if it will not fire.

The engine was running fine before I removed the distributor. Now it just cranks but will not start. I know I must of messed up the timing somehow when I reinstalled the dizzy. I'm just done with trouble shooting for now and rather have someone with experience on these cars to fix these issues that I keep digging myself deeper into.

If it was running before you pulled out the distributor (BTW why? ) then, as you mentioned, your probably too far off with your timing to start. Couple of options, either do a static timing to get you close or have someone turn the key while you turn the distributor until it starts.

These are old cars but reliable when everything is in order. The more you play with it, the more you will enjoy your car.

Good luck, plenty of help here.

Thank you Montreal914 and Mark for the support. I was just getting to the point of frustration after attempting to clean and adjust the points on the dizzy. It seems there's a small margin in error on a 914 from not running, running and running good! It would be nice to follow someone through the steps in person just to assure I'm doing things the correct way and not lose an entire weekend chasing existing problems or ones that ive created

You are near Los Angeles.
Go find a local VW aircooled shop and get a tune up.

With the help of the folks here you should be able to get it running.
BTW IMHO ditch the points.
its the 21st century, there are inexpensive products available now that once installed & set, will make your car run better and your life easier.

Near-ish to you in OC, you can try either Bill Brewster in San Clemente, AASE in Fullerton, or Der Buggy in Westminster/Garden Grove. I know folks who have used all 3 of them.

Unfortunately my long time 914 guy Hans won't take any new aircooled customers - just us old customers - otherwise I'd recco him. A few have asked why I don't do so since I quote his advice often, & that is why.

If it's not running & you have AAA, have it towed to one of them after talking with them & deciding which you like.

Good Luck!
Tom
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Ive seen the same add

And it seems to good to be true

I wish i could find a guy like that
Cause i never have time to take the car to my goto
Wrench , who has 25 years aircooled experience and a machine shop

But this is a 914 not a bug with a stock 1600

So id stay away from anybody i dont know well

Do you feel comfortable with the idea of static timing it yourself?

Not that hard...

Edit - also make sure the distributor is seated all the way in, worth having someone look to see the rotor is turning when you engage the starter.

Have you called him to see if he's a member here? Can't hurt to investigate a little further.

If that was on my local craigslist you can guarantee I'd be giving the guy a call just to say Hi!

The car is running a vw bus motor, so it’s fairly straight forward to tuned up for an aircooled shop. Look for one that has some references.
At least you have some around you.....most of the aircooled shops here are either gone or they moved up to water cooled and the old guys retired.

Be sure that the molex plug at the Dist hasn't come loose.

Maybe I can help you out.

I'm in Glendora and Chino isn't that far.


I'm gone out of town for a couple of weeks so it would have to be first weekend in Feb.

PM me if you can wait.

How do you get to know someone well without meeting them and hanging out?

Osmosis?

A few minutes on the phone and you should be able to tell if knows a few things about the cars to make it worth your time to have see or work on the car.

If people didn't advertise they'd have hard time expanding their customer base.

Just meant i would stay away from having them work on the 914
Until i was sure about their mechanical ability and experience. And im not to familiar with osmosis but
I can tell alot by reading a persons eyes

I have not heard of him before. I could suggest a couple places or call me and We could go through some basics on the dissy installation.
Bruce

Bruce helped me out A LOT when I was trying to get my first 1.7 914 running right!!!

Looking more at the ad I would probably not use what ever service he is offering. Says he has pulled and installed engine, can adjust valves and do everything. Is he a legitimate California repair shop or someone who can turn wrenches in his driveway. Call him and see what he has to say.
I have heard many horror stories about self claimed mechanics who caused huge problems for the car owners. I am helping install an engine for a friend who used a shop with an incompetent mechanic. Finally cam to me after his engine burnt up because the air baflees were not in the engine directing air over the oil cooler and missing a back piece of cylinder tin. Had 40 PSI on that cylinder. Bad work is the most expensive to fix.

I live in Eastvale which is close to you. I'm willing to come over and help.

What kind of points setup in the dizzy? Is it pertronix or electronic? wired correctly?

If you can get the car to North Glendale I know a shop...

Thanks to everyones input here, I really appreciate it. I actually slept on it after I originally posted. The very next morning with a refreshed mind and attitude, I was able to make some adjustments to the dizzy, double checked timing marks and bam! fired up ' Oh Happy Day'!.

A couple of VW shops I've spoke to in the past told me that they no longer take in 914's hence the discouraging effort to find some local help. I wound up heading down to the Pomona Swap Meet and met Angel of Angels Performance in Anaheim. He stated that he had experience with 914's and would have no problem performing a tune up for $80. Hopefully he has good experience with FI type 4 and can fix the acceleration issue that still exist.

Craig, Brad and other local guys to me, I will be in contact with you soon. I still want to go through some things on my 1.7l first before towing it down to the shop. I ordered a new bosch full pump today and I'm going to recheck all the related grounds.

Odd coincidence with the "Oh Happy Day" comment and the Death Fairy thread that says the guy who's famous for singing it died today.

right off the bat, I'd say DO NOT use this guy, because of the simple reason he is advertising his service in the CARS FOR SALE section, and that is totally wrong and only done by careless fly-by-night hacks. If he posted in the SERVICE section of CL, then good.
I sometimes call-out these people, and they are ALWAYS rude, saying they can do what-the-fck they want. If the ad works, people keep doing it. don't let it work.

new California for you

FINALLY! FINALLY! FINALLY! Got her running! It was the freaking cheap MR. Gasket Fuel Pump that was the culprit. Man, you guys don't even know how happy I am to finally have acceleration now.

The previous fuel pump always primed and since the idle sounded great I never checked the voltage at the pump. Replaced all the vacuum lines, installed new TPS(914rubber), cleaned and gapped dizzy points, cleaned injectors, switched mps unit, cleaned up wiring harness, fixed bad ground points, inspected cylinder head sensor, replaced AAR hose(914rubber) with all the same effect. Just installed new Bosch pump ordered from Rock Auto and BAM! Rev City!!!

Sometimes its the simple things in life that give it's the most enjoyment

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Hi, Good you fixed your problems. My opinion about the subject... just saying, for the record: I called a CL add some months ago, a guy Brian (could be same guy or not, no clue, the add link you in your post is deleted)... He sounded knowledgeable about 914 carbed and such...well, based on a brief conversation... Long story short..for almost 1 month I tried to reach the guy, but anytime I called or text he replied that he was busy or he was in a rush, promised to call back , never did...I walked away...So reputably unknown mechanics with adds on Craigslist probably are not the way not fix our cars. While I put my car on the back burner (way to frustrating...) I'm still looking for someone in LA who can hep me tune/fix my double empi 40 carbed 1.7. So far, based on my experience and struggle nobody want to touch a single or double carbed 914. Good luck with your car.

Have to agree that CL is probably not the best source for finding a capable person or shop to work on a double carbed 914. That said, I don't know anything at all about the availability of expertise in LA, but if you are willing to travel to San Diego there is, Black Forest Automotive. A friend of mine had his 914-6 conversion tuned there with great success. But better than that, this is the shop that has the engine guy who is involved with the 911's that are "Singer like" selling on BAT for well over 200k. Look harder in LA or reach out here to Keith914 a very smart guy who may be able to help. If not chat up Black Forest Porsche here in San Diego. www.blackforestautomotive.com/

They may be a bit pricey but your problem will be solved, I believe, and it just may be worth it. No affiliation what so ever with the shop just know of them. From someone who at times has also been a frustrated 914 owner. Best of luck!